Disclaimer: Bioware owns all, but Shepard is all mine – sort of.
A/N: It's girly and silly, and I found Kelly really annoying in-game, so I tried to bring that out in this chapter. As always, feel free to post your thoughts.
Chapter 2: Getting Ready
The pounding on the door intensified the more Shepard ignored it. It seemed inevitable that Miranda would win at all costs, even if it included taking away the commander's dignity as well. Shepard sighed and resigned herself to the horror that awaited her. She pushed the button on the wall and the bathroom door slid open with a hiss.
"It's about damn time you came out of there!" Miranda stepped aside to let Shepard pass down the steps and into her living quarters. "I didn't think anything could ever make you so squeamish."
Shepard shot Miranda an annoyed look, but Miranda ignored it as the door chime sounded. Making herself at home, the indomitable operative moved with a purpose and opened the door to let Kelly in. The young, perky yeoman breezed into the commander's cabin, her excited chatter filling the room and grating on Shepard's nerves. She shifted uncomfortably as the two women debated on which clothing style suited the commander's body type and which hairstyle would look best with it. At one point, Kelly attempted to include Shepard in the conversation, but the commander just stared at her as if Kelly had suddenly grown a third eye.
Miranda and Kelly finally decided on three different outfits that had been purchased previously at some point in their journeys. Both women debated the pros and cons of each outfit, the incessant babbling causing Shepard to lie down before her head exploded. How hard was it to pick out clothing? Really?
"Here, try this one on." Miranda thrust a garment toward the commander, and Shepard failed in her attempt to feign sleep.
"It won't fit." Shepard hoped the simple statement would suffice.
"Of course it will. It fits me and we're the same size." Shepard frowned at Miranda. "Well I did spend two years rebuilding your body. Of course I know your size."
Shepard sat up on the bed and examined the garment Miranda and Kelly had picked out. Surprisingly, it wasn't revealing at all, and covered her entire body save for her head, neck, and hands. Miranda also gestured to a pair of boots, new black, leather boots that would complete the ensemble. Reluctantly, Shepard stripped and attempted to get into Miranda's outfit.
"How is this thing supposed to go on?"
"They're pants, Shepard," Miranda stated irritably while Kelly snickered in the background. "How do you usually put pants on?"
Shepard huffed in annoyance and pulled the tight fitting leggings up, then tackled the top. She struggled briefly with the snug fabric before finally yanking it down to cover her abdomen. Miranda handed her the final piece of the outfit, and Shepard looked at her inquisitively.
"It's a ribbed top, kind of like a corset. It's very popular on Illium." Miranda smiled again as Kelly attempted to be helpful. Shepard just arched an eyebrow and yanked the corset from Miranda's outstretched hand. Miranda moved behind her to help Shepard adjust the garment more to her level of comfort, but Shepard continued to shift and fidget.
"Stop moving," Miranda ordered.
"It's too tight," Shepard grumbled.
"It's supposed to be."
"I read that these new corset-things are supposed to be very supportive. New studies show that posture is significantly improved and the ribbing helps with lift." Kelly looked innocently at Shepard as the commander glared daggers at the young woman. "The fabric is a high performance synthetic cloth, similar to rubber or latex clothing that was popular back in the mid-21st. Only I think this stuff is supposed to be more breathable."
Miranda tried to hide a smile as Shepard shifted again. "You're putting me in a rubber body suit?"
"It's not rubber, silly." Kelly shrugged her shoulders. "I can't pronounce the name of it. Some sort of Asari thing or another."
Shepard frowned as Miranda continued to adjust the corset, jerking her from side to side. The door chimed again and Kelly squealed in delight as Tali and Dr. Chakwas entered the room. Tali immediately went to Shepard's side and appraised her outfit with a critical eye while Dr. Chakwas poured the commander a drink. Chakwas had seen that same sort of look in newly caged animals that Shepard now wore. There was no way that the commander would leave the privacy of her cabin while still sober.
Shepard reached impatiently for the drink that the doctor supplied, ignoring the burn in her throat, but enjoying the warmth now permeating her belly. She gestured for another, which Chakwas gave, only stopping to serve Miranda and Kelly their drinks as well. Tali had brought her own beverage, a sort of green ooze, which she hooked up to her suit. The environment in the cabin had gone from one of tense irritation, to mild anticipation.
"I must say, Commander, black suits you." Dr. Chakwas looked appraisingly at Shepard and took a seat on the couch. While the doctor had seen Shepard in her black armor, this outfit was definitely a first. Of course, the commander rarely wore anything that wasn't military issued. In fact, Chakwas had never seen Shepard out of uniform aside from medical necessity.
"The color and the boots are the only thing I approve of." Shepard downed her drink and handed the glass to Dr. Chakwas for a refill. Miranda jerked the corset once more and informed Shepard that the fit was now perfect. The commander moved awkwardly, experimenting with the feel of the clothing. It was flexible yet supportive and it was breathable. Despite the snug fit, Shepard had good range of motion and was fairly comfortable. Maybe I should slow down my drinking, she thought.
"Here." Miranda pointed to the desk chair. "Sit. We need to do something about your hair."
Shepard touched the back of her head where she usually piled her messy hair into something resembling a knotted bun. "What's wrong with my hair?"
"There are so many ways I could answer that, but you're just going to have to trust me." Miranda ushered Shepard into the chair and swiveled it around so that she was behind her. Roughly, Miranda undid the rat's nest that was her commander's hair, and proceeded to brush it vigorously. Shepard stifled a groan, as Kelly fluttered over and started a discussion on makeup. The commander looked briefly over at Tali and Dr. Chakwas who were chatting on the couch before Miranda roughly pulled her head so that she was facing straight ahead again. Shepard suddenly longed for the ability to inject liquor into her veins as the quarian seemed able to do.
"There." Miranda stopped brushing and admired her handiwork. Shepard's hair was now tangle-free.
"That's it?" Shepard rand a hand through her locks and looked at Miranda suspiciously.
"No, now we curl it."
Kelly squealed again and started debating the benefits of a flat iron versus a curling iron. In the end, Shepard submitted to a straightened simplistic hairstyle with soft waves framing her face. The process was almost more than she could handle, and Shepard inwardly reminded herself to thank Dr. Chakwas for the bottles of liquor that she had brought. Where that woman got her alcohol was a mystery to Shepard, but she was thankful for it nonetheless. The liquid courage would come in handy tonight.
